Would you own a SAAB?

procainestart wrote:

Chebbie_SB wrote: I was told to avoid the V6 and the gutless (by comparison) 2.3. I have added just over 50K to the odometer, it puked the DI cassette, and the idler/tensioner bearing chowed the serpentine belt. No big surprises there.... That 2.0 turbo pulls !!

It's only the early (late-90s) V6s that are junk; later V6s are fine.

jstein77 wrote:

digdug18 wrote: I'd buy one of the new saabs

The current Saabs are still GM-based. Independent models won't be out for another few years.

Next year I believe, from the press clippings I've read on their website anyway.

failboat wrote: I am sure Consumer Reports would say a lot of awesome cars suck, particularly as they age. Consumers dont want to have to think about maintenance or repairs, they just want their appliance to work and do its job with little complaint.

Well, that's somewhat true. However, speaking as an enthusiast, who does the vast majority of his own repairs on the household's cars I can tell you I already spend an inordinate amount of my free time underneath some sort of vehicle doing regular maintenance and the occasional mod. At this point in my life, I really don't want a project-car daily driver (says the guy with an 86 aw11).

I just take CR automotive stats for they are. Data (with a grain of salt). I don't put much weight on their specific recommendations, but you can certainly see trends in the user surveys. That said, it'd be shame if this thread turned into a debate on CR or statistics in general, so I'll stop now.

Back OT - Would I? Probably not, but that's just me. They just don't push any of my buttons enough to deal with the dubious reliability ratings and mediocre performance. That's not to say I don't understand other peeps fascination with them. My buddy in college had a nice-ish burgundy 900 that opened my eyes to the general weirdness. I wish more manufacturers had the sense of identity as the old Saab. I probably just need to drive one around for awhile. I am looking forward to seeing what the "new" Saab co. comes out with.

The only one I would own would be the one you used to own.

I would rather own and DD an Alfa Romeo then a Saab.

SAABs are an aquired taste. Most of my friends hate mine (but love my 318ti) but I do not care. Both cars are fun to drive, and that is what matters.

The more I delve into the mechanics of my classic.. the more I am impressed with the forsight and engineering that went into them

I daily drove a hot Sonett for years, but you likely don't want to hear about that generation.

Wife drove an '89 turbo 'vert (modifed with some Group 6 stuff) for years and years. Ice raced it as well.

Car was great... powerful, reliable, thought it would never wear out (even with the all the boost we were putting through the engine).

But even this modified car isn't as much fun to drive as the much slower E30 vert that replaced it.

On the other hand, my kid was shopping for an E36 'vert and made the mistake of driving a NG900 turbo vert and was sucked in by the boost (pun intended). She ended up with a 2003 9-3 (which as others have mentioned seems a nice step up from the NG900... and darn near worthless... a really good deal) After replacing the DIC (ignition cartridge) it's been a great car. And it's pretty darn powerful... even dead stock.

But... my kid was back home a couple of weeks ago and drove both my M Roadster and her mom's E30 vert... and was lamenting the fact that she enjoyed driving both cars better than her Turbo...

Bill

having gone from a quick turbo NG to a slow 2.1 Classic.. I understand and would keep the classic before I got another NG or even a 9-3

I would definitely buy a saab.

" I aint afraid of no saabs" (to ghostbusters theme).

Nehhh Na Nehhh Na Neehhh Na ne na nanana

wcelliot wrote: After replacing the DIC (ignition cartridge) it's been a great car.

Change the plugs regularly and the DIC will live longer.

I can't get to youTube from work but tak a look at Clarksons review of the 9-5 Aero, funny stuff.

In reply to Rusted_Busted_Spit:

Well, it is hard to ignore your own experiences particularly if you've been burned. But unless there is something unique to your situation that somehow would render a Saab more reliable than a Honda, I wouldn't count on that holding true in the future. I completely understand people who prefer Saabs over Hondas (or whatever) for subjective reasons after factoring in reliability and cost of ownership. But that is a completely different argument.

I personally avoid Saabs not just because of the reliability issues, but probably more because of the feel of their manual transmissions.

To be fair the Civic I had was VERY neglected, I got it cheap, put it back together and sold it. None of my other cars have been is as bad shape.

I think the biggest issue with SAABs and reliability is that they are relatively cheap new compared to BMW, Audi or Mercedes and so people buy them trying to show they have a perticular lifestyle but do not have the money to maintain them. If something is not maintained I don't care how well it is built it will die.

I guess I just get tired of hearing how bad SAABs are when of the 10 or so that have been in my family have proven otherwise. I will say this though, last summer I gave my brother my 99 9-3 with just over 200K on it. The motor in that car pulls just like it did the day my wife and I bought it with 75K on it. SAAB 4 bangers are very stong and will go many miles without issue if taken care of.

To each his own, there is a reason there are so many different kinds of cars to choose from. I don't dismiss any car out of hand, in fact I can find things that I like about any car I have driven but SAABs push my buttons and that is why I have one.

I'm just going to leave this here....

I'd hit it.

I forgot about the 9000 Aeros. Those were seriously great cars. Fantastic daily drivers. Handled decently, great interiors, looked good, got decent mpg, ate up miles, and the 2.3T has some BALLS to it.

You see a lot of them with VERY high miles, and it's for a reason.

In reply to Rusted_Busted_Spit:

I think the subsidized leases killed them. For years you could get a 9-3 or 9-5 with 0 down and a super low monthly payment for 24 months.

And thanks for your thoughtful response. It is a lot easier to dole out some internet venom than to actually come up with a well reasoned reply like you did.

The only Saab I'd ever own is one with the V-4, a Sonnett, of a 2 cycle. As a weekend toy. All otheres, no. I've seen and heard too many horror stories from owners, dealers and mechanics. i can't deny the turbos can be fun to drive, but, no, if I'm going to have a DD car with as many problems as a Saab, it'll be something more interesting, rare and fun.

914Driver wrote: Would you own a SAAB?

I have, and I would again. but only the pre GM cars. I had a 1996 9000 CSE for about 5 years and put close to 200k miles on it during that time. Never really had an issue from it besides the usual DIC replacement. You won't find a car with more hauling room with the rear seats folded down. Great interior, the Elmo leather really holds up well. I wouldn't spend the money on brand new car (of any brand) due to the low resale value, just buy used and save a ton of cash on a great car.

In reply to Otto Maddox:

No problem, being able to actually discuss things is one of the big reasons I spend way too much timeon this site.

If you are ever in Columbus let me know, the beer is on me.

No.

Maybe an old 96 wagon, but that's it. Anything newer than that is quirky for the sake of being quirky, and the much newer stuff is about as reliable as a toothpick house in a windstorm.

I would push that up to the Classic 900.. the NG and above were quirky only because the ones before them were quirky and it was part of saab's "heritage"

I love out 04 9-5 arc for what it is, an awesome DD and as long as you treat it well you will have no problems at all.

Maintenance on these are the same as ANY euro car, as long as you have records go for it. In the 3 years we have had it it has had less issues than the 98 323is we traded for it (granted i want that car back so berkeleying bad now that is besides the point)

It really just seems people that say no need time behind the wheel and stop the hate.

Think of it this way the reason GM is better now and making cars people want is because of the technology they stole from SAAB.

JtspellS wrote: Think of it this way the reason GM is better now and making cars people want is because of the technology they stole from SAAB.

Really??

i'm looking at 9000's on CL now too, are there any differences between models and/or years i should be concerned about?

WilberM3 wrote: i'm looking at 9000's on CL now too, are there any differences between models and/or years i should be concerned about?

They're all pretty much the same. Later ones are the heaviest, with the best interior, and curvier looks. Later ones are also harder to find in manual.

The 2.3 is a better motor than the 2.1, and makes more power anyways.

Ideally, you'd want the earliest 2.3T 5spd you can find.